BRIMPSFIELD GRANGE

The alien grange of Brimpsfield was founded, probably before AD 1100 as a cell of the Benedictine Abbey of Fontenay. It was not a conventual establishment, but a grange sufficient to house two or three monks and to store crops and tithes. It may have contained a small chapel, or the monks may have worshipped at the adjacent church or at a chapel in the castle. The priory was seized in 1414 under the Act for the confiscation of alien priories, and nothing now remains, though some large worked stones may be seen in field walls and paving a gate way near the churchyard.

The alien priory of Brimpsfield was founded, probably before AD 1100 (2) as a cell of the Benedictine Abbey of Fontenay (The VCH, followed by Knowles & Hadcock mistakenly gives the monastery of St Wandrille of Fontanelle as the Mother House). It was not a conventual establishment, but a grange sufficient to house two or three monks and to store crops and tithes. It may have contained a small chapel, or the monks may have worshipped at the adjacent church or at a chapel in the castle (3). The priory was seized in 1414 under the Act for the confiscation of alien priories (2), and nothing now remains, though some large worked stones may be seen in field walls and paving a gate way near the churchyard. (3).

A barn at SO 94141286, virtually on the alleged site of the grange, was constructed about the turn of the century and is said (c) to have used cut stone from the site. However it is admitted that it could equally have come from the castle or the church restoration. There are no traces of foundations or of a clearly defined building platform. The area is under permanent pasture. (4)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1955

( 2) edited by William Page, F.S.A. 1907 The Victoria history of the county of Gloucester, volume two

The Victoria history of the counties of England Page(s)102-3

( 3a) edited by William Page, F.S.A. 1907 The Victoria history of the county of Gloucester, volume two